Stepping Stones Lighthouse Near the Throgs Neck Bridge

by Cordia Murphy

Title

Stepping Stones Lighthouse Near the Throgs Neck Bridge

Artist

Cordia Murphy

Medium

Photograph - Fine Art Photography

Description

Old lighthouse, where we used to fish, was built in the mid-1800's. It is outside of Long Island and above the Harlem River near the Throgs Neck Bridge in City Island, New York. After the opening of Stepping Stones Lighthouse in 1877, shipping increased by 63% into New York harbor because it opened up a safe route from the Atlantic through Long Island Sound and ultimately into to New York City.

History
Native American Legends
Siwanoy Native Americans from Connecticut believed that the Evil Spirit, Habboamoko, used Stepping Stones as a foothold as he fled Connecticut across the Long Island Sound at low tide after the Battle for Connecticut.

European Settlers
Early maps noted the reefs in the Long Island Sound as “Devil’s Stepping Stones” after the Native American legend
The name “Devil’s Stepping Stones” persisted until 1877 when the lighthouse opened for the first time thought the named was shorted to “Stepping Stones.”
The Lighthouse
In June 1866, $6,000 was allocated for the creation of a day beacon in the western Long Island Sound.

In 1875, construction began by A.D. Cook and a band of Irish bargemen and stonemasons
The dwelling was completed in January of 1877, despite “1876” being carved into the building

The lighthouse officially opened on March 1, 1877

First optic was a Fifth Order Fresnel lens showing a fixed, red light

After the opening of Stepping Stones, the value of New York City imports increased by 63%, proving Stepping Stones’ worth as an important channel marker for New York harbor.
In 1932, the light was changed to a Fourth Order Fresnel lens showing a fixed, green light
Lighthouse was updated and modernized in 1944

Uploaded

June 3rd, 2019

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